Arena Profile: Michael Beckel

Michael joined the Center for Responsive Politics in February 2009 as a communications and administrative assistant before assuming his current post in December 2009. In it, Michael writes extensively for the Center's OpenSecrets Blog about the influence of money in politics. Previously, he completed a yearlong editorial fellowship with Mother Jones magazine, wrote for two alternative newsweeklies in Colorado and performed legislative research and nonpartisan voter education at Project Vote Smart. He is a 2005 graduate of Colorado College.

Michael Beckel's Recent Discussions

Obama's overwhelming campaign cash?

Plus Open Mike, July 9-10, 2011

(Interview with POLITICO's Elizabeth Titus)

How much will money really matter in this election?

Money is always an important factor. It’s maybe never THE factor, but without money you can’t get your message out. Without money you don’t have troops on the ground going door to door, making phone calls on your behalf, getting your message out, getting advertisements on the radio waves, on TV, into people’s mailboxes. You need money to do all the things that are required in modern campaigns.

The other factors certainly play into it. Incumbents have a built-in advantage. Certainly the power of the presidency and being able to do anything and have troves of reporters following you [is an advantage], as is the built-in name recognition that comes with being in office for three years, four years come Election Day. The other factors play into it, but without money you can only go so far.

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